How about taking the bottom path only till Unwavering Stance and going to duelist health nodes through upper path? This way you avoid taking the useless dex node at the cost of using 1 more point, but at least you're getting some hp and damage from the str point.

How about taking the bottom path only till Unwavering Stance and going to duelist health nodes through upper path? This way you avoid taking the useless dex node at the cost of using 1 more point, but at least you're getting some hp and damage from the str point.

Using one more point to avoid taking a dex node isn't worth it (one strength node gives 5 base life and 2% more damage, both of which are extremely negligible). If you were to take that path, go the other way around for blood magic and go to Smashing Blows through Bloodless. This also positions you better for the center life nodes.

In the end if I choose to go the path Halinn posted the ammount of points spent is the same. The only difference lies in getting Smashing blows. Taking bottom path you have to take 2x mace dmg, taking top path bloodless and spend 1 point less. Which choice is more favourable?

In the end if I choose to go the path Halinn posted the ammount of points spent is the same. The only difference lies in getting Smashing blows. Taking bottom path you have to take 2x mace dmg, taking top path bloodless and spend 1 point less. Which choice is more favourable?

The difference between them amounts to very little. Go for whichever suits your fancy. Personally, I prefer having that dex node, since it opens up for some more equipment options until you get to endgame gears.

In the end if I choose to go the path Halinn posted the ammount of points spent is the same. The only difference lies in getting Smashing blows. Taking bottom path you have to take 2x mace dmg, taking top path bloodless and spend 1 point less. Which choice is more favourable?

The difference between them amounts to very little. Go for whichever suits your fancy. Personally, I prefer having that dex node, since it opens up for some more equipment options until you get to endgame gears.

Dex nodes are nice if you are planning to use faster attacks gem.
Also if you are planning to go to Diamond skin and to ranger HP nodes you will take eventually some DEX which again is really helfull cause it gives you damage by letting you equip higher level faster attacks.